The Editor, Sir:

This is in response to the Orville Taylor column in The Sunday Gleaner, November 23.

Dr Taylor,

It is comforting, having read your article in The Gleaner on hanging, that we still have Jamaicans (dunce or otherwise) who are thinking with their head. I am at a loss when I hear members of parliament use public opinion to justify their support for hanging - and ignore public opinion for good governance and bi-partisan support for a better Jamaica.

I could not support hanging in Jamaica under present conditions; corruption and slowness in the judiciary system, corruption and indiscipline in the police force. Hanging will not reduce crime. Prevention is better than cure; prevention in the form of reducing the number of guns on the streets.

I had a relative who was killed recently, and should be bitter, but being bitter will not bring my cousin, Inspector Marlon Harper, back to life, for him to share the joy with the rest of the clan in our family reunions which are held every two years.

I am, etc.,

ANDREW HARPER

andrewvharper@hotmail.com